Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-05-19
MR.. CARNEGIE's LETTER.

Ih OhhNEU1Ep LEI
Andrew Carnegie's spirited letter de-
clining to contribute to the Queens Jubilee
fund has the ring Of intense patriotism.
Such stirring words from a naturalized
citizen warns the blood and stingingly re-
Dukes such of the pessimistic native-born
as go about doubling the permanency Of
republican institutions and moaning over
the supposed decay of the patriotic spirit
As TO the question Of the propriety of
Americans contributing to funds for cele-
brating monarchical anniversaries, the
general Judgment will be that it is mat
ter mainly Of personal taste. 1t can
scarcely be said that Americanism has es-
tablished any code of ethics that of ne
ceSsity should regulate the manifestations
of the sympathies. If naturalized citi-
zen, once subject of England, entertains
such respect for Queen Victoria that he
feels the prompting to contribute SO strong
as to justify him i'll adding to the jubilee
celebration fund, it ought not to be taken
as implying that he is therefore dis
loyal to the American sentiment. On the
other hand, if, as is the case with Mr. Car
negie, he conceives that contribution on
his part TO such ends amounts to an uttered
doubt of his own integrity as an American
citizen, and is reproach to the VOWS he
has taken, his conduct will have the
heartiest approval of the American peo-
pie, and it will not be in good taste for
Englishmen to rebuke him. So, then,
looked at from both sides, it cannot be said
that the action first suggested is reproach
ID America, or that the last indicated is
reproach to the English. The latter is, as
in the case of Mr.. Carnegie, strong mani
festation Of love for the democratic princi-
pie and am expression Of equally strong dis
like of monarchical forms and systems. To
that extent it flatters American pride and
stirs the patriotic blood, and in our opin-
ion bespeaks the possession Of good taste
English subjects attend the dinners given
by American residents in England in
commemoration of American independ-
ence. They do not hesitate to ex-
press their admiration on such
occasions for America and her institutions,
and probably no one in England looks
upon them as acting with any improperly
in doing So Yet, if they refused to do
this it would not rest with us TO reproach
them. Mr.. Carnegies rule for himself
then, IS not to be taken as the inflexible
rule for all naturalized Englishmen-since
We must accord to them that they may
celebrate Victories jubilee and still be
perfectly faithful in spirit and action to
American principles. For something must
be conceded to the instructive love for
fatherland. Men do not wholly blot out
their memories of home, or entirely divorce
their hearts from tender memories of the
soil of their nativity and the civilization
of which they are the product, by swear
ing allegiance TO another Government.
Some do very nearly so discover their
sympathles and become the implacable
opponents of their native land, and no one
tinds any fault with them for it. Where.
however, American citizenship is taken up
only rs 4 convenient cloak; where it thinly
disguises sentiment that is stronger fer
the old than the new allegiance where it
Is assumed only as form and without
sincerity or conviction, it merits reproach
and loathing. Abandonment of mon
archial government from sincere convic-
ton Of Its essential wrong to human beings.
of its violation OF the fundamental prin-
ciples underlying human liberty, inspires
the respect and plaudits Of all lovers of
free government Such is Mr.. Carnecie's
case. lie Is an American from principle,
and so deeply impressed with the solemnity
and Importance of his obligations that he
feels called upon to reprove all naturalized
citizens who manifest any sympathy what
ever with things at all related to monarch
ism. To him it is hateful, and a great
wrong. He abhors the idea Of aristocracv.
and denies to any the right by descent to
rule. His ineisive rebuke to the English
Americans of New York for importing a
Canadian 10 preside at the celebration and
deliver the address will be warmly in
dorsed, and bring confusion upon the pro-
moters Of the jubilation. His letter of
tieeh1atiea has the ring of the true
American spirit, and may well serve to
recall many naturalized citizens to refec-
ton upon their course in permitting the
sentiment of respect for nativity to extend
to partnership for forms of government
which they have soIemnly abiured.